Objective
Understanding how the brain processes sensory stimuli to guide behavior is still an unresolved mystery in neuroscience. The view that behavior may be passively guided by the senses is challenged by the observation that the brain is always spontaneous active. Even cortical areas that are supposed to represent features of the sensory environment manifest spontaneous activity (SA) in the absence of external inputs. The similarity between SA and sensory-evoked activity (EA) has been interpreted as learning of features of the external world by cortical circuits. However, the mechanism by which SA affects brain computation is largely unknown. In this proposal we aim at elucidating the functional role of SA for processing of sensory information in the auditory modality. We will take advantage of state-of-the-art tools available in mice to modulate and record the activity of large populations of neurons across cortical layers. Mice will be trained to perform frequency (or location) discrimination tasks and expectation will be generated by using trials in blocks in which the sound location (or frequency) probability will vary. We hypothesize that the induced expectation will facilitate sensory discrimination and manifest as specific patterns of SA before stimulus presentation. We will then manipulate optogenetically auditory cortex to causally test the role of SA in the task. Finally, we will record the simultaneous activity of a large number of neurons to understand mechanistically how SA may affects the processing of incoming sensory stimuli. Our study has the potential to uncover new neuronal mechanisms underlying sensory processing.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- social sciences sociology social issues social inequalities
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1400-038 LISBOA
Portugal
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.